The serial winning machine that is James McCarthy has hung up his boots as an inter-county footballer, yesterday confirming that he has retired.
The Ballymun legend has lifted a record breaking nine All-Ireland titles, with only his teammates Stephen Cluxton and Mick Fitzsimons matching this feat.
Although both of those players are legends in their own right, McCarthy's longevity is still the most impressive because he was at the thick of absolutely everything that went on on a football pitch.
Even in his last game for the Dubs against Galway, he was lining out in midfield, and more than capable of getting up and down, chipping in with scores, shipping big tackles, fetching high balls and leading from the front.
Of course his teammates, past and present, were quick to pay tribute to him, even his most fierce rivals felt compelled to do the same.
If you logged onto social media yesterday, you would have seen a barrage of tributes for the man who many considered to be the heartbeat of the famous team that lifted six All-Irelands in a row.
Lee Keegan, who was so often on the receiving end of that Dublin team, and the wrath of McCarthy himself summed it up nicely.
James McCarthy
Awesome in every department.
Destroyer in every position.
Great among greats.
Retirement earned.
James McCarthy
Awesome in every department.
Destroyer in every position.
Great among greats.
Retirement earned 🤝— Lee Keegan (@leeroykeegan) November 4, 2024
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Donegal hero Eamon McGee always had a way of articulating things, and his tweet on McCarthy tells you everything you need to know.
Every GAA player profile Q&A over the last 15 years:
Favourite movie= Shawshank Redemption
Player you’d most like to take in on a transfer= James McCarthy.
Every GAA player profile Q&A over the last 15 years:
Favourite movie=
Shawshank RedemptionPlayer you’d most like to take in on a transfer= James McCarthy. https://t.co/apsJbYnBns
— Eamon Mc Gee (@EamonMcGee) November 4, 2024
Michael Darragh McAuley stood alongside McCarthy for years in the blue jersey and he described him bluntly, but accurately in an emotional tweet.
Pure warrior, no bullshit
Pure warrior, no bullshit 💙 pic.twitter.com/vmReT2sJ5l
— Michael D Macauley 🍉 (@MDMA_9) November 4, 2024
However, the pick of the bunch has to be from Kildare's Eamonn O'Callaghan, who couldn't resist lightening the mood a little with a joke.
He doesn’t have 4 O’Byrne Cups tho!!
He doesn’t have 4 O’Byrne Cups tho!! https://t.co/LPuOCCOpcc
— Eamonn Callaghan (@leperleper) November 4, 2024
The trophy cabinet in the McCarthy household might be a little light on O'Byrne Cup medals, but his 9 All-Irelands, 14 Leinster titles, five league titles and five All-stars, will have to do.
